(Fargo,
N.D.) – DEA Chicago Special Agent in Charge Gary Olenkiewicz
announced that Gerald Jerome Johnson of Melville, North Dakota, was
sentenced to life in prison by United States District Court Judge Rodney
S. Webb on three counts of charges involving drugs and guns.

“This sentencing
sends a strong message to drug traffickers that we will not tolerate
drugs and guns in our neighborhoods”, stated Olenkiewicz. “Mr.
Johnson is a career criminal who must now pay for his decision to deal
drugs on the streets. The investigation was a collaborated effort with
our partners in drug law enforcement, the ATF, Stutsman County Drug
Task Force, the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and
the Jamestown Police Department.”

Johnson, 53, was
found guilty by a 12 person jury on July 27, 2006, of possessing with
intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, possessing
a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and felon in
possession of firearms. Johnson has prior federal felony convictions
in North Dakota for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances,
possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime,
and felon in possession of a firearm. The jury also found that Johnson
must forfeit $15,150.00 to the United States. Based on Johnson’s
prior criminal history, Judge Webb sentenced Johnson to a mandatory
life imprisonment plus 25 years to be served consecutively.